- Winners of new Place Innovation Awards
announced today during WA Local Government Association Convention
- Innovative solutions from regional and
metropolitan local governments recognised
- Placemaking helps build community
connections, activate local spaces and foster greater collaboration within
local government
A community-led series of
placemaking initiatives at a neighbourhood centre, a game changing level of
transparency in infrastructure policy, and the transformation of underused
public space into a vibrant hive of activity, have been recognised at the first
ever Place Innovation Awards today.
There were 31 nominations
for the awards which were established by the Minister for Local Government
David Michael to celebrate the most
innovative, collaborative approaches to placemaking in Western Australia.
The awards were presented
during the annual WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Local Futures
Convention, which brings together elected members and local government staff
from across WA each year.
Congratulations to the
winners in the three award categories:
- Outstanding Achievement: City of Kwinana - Wellard Village 7 Day
Makeover;
- Metropolitan Perth and Peel: City of Mandurah - Community Initiated
Infrastructure Policy; and
- Regional Western
Australia: Shire of Pingelly - Pingelly Pocket/Gnalla Wangkiny Park.
Nominations for the Place Innovation Awards were assessed on their
ability to take an innovative approach to a place-based opportunity or
challenge, demonstrate significant improvements to standard practices, and show
a high level of collaboration with external stakeholders and areas within local
government.
The awards are administered by Town Team Movement (TTM),
with support from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural
Industries (DLGSC). TTM is a non-profit organisation that enables local
communities and governments to connect, organise and act to regenerate the
fabric of their neighbourhoods and to create better places.
Placemaking brings together planners, community members,
architects, local government, business and other groups, working
collaboratively to activate local spaces.
DLGSC has funded TTM to deliver free placemaking training
for all elected members and local government staff in WA. Find out more about
this world leading initiative at townteammovement.com.
Comments
attributed to Local Government Minister David Michael:
"Placemaking is a great way for local governments to work holistically
with local business, urban planners, residents, and local organisations to
create positive change and vibrant spaces.
"Congratulations to our outstanding winners and I'm pleased that these
awards have provided an opportunity to recognise the achievements of our local
governments.
"Innovative placemaking initiatives not only create amazing community spaces
but also help to develop a strong sense of community and belonging."
Comments
attributed to Town Team Movement co-founder and executive director Jimmy
Murphy:
"At
Town Team Movement we strongly encourage thinking outside the box.
"It's
great to see these local governments recognised for their innovative approaches
to placemaking, working hand in hand with their community and stakeholders to
create better places for everyone."
Comments
attributed to WALGA State President Cr Karen Chappel AM:
"I congratulate the
winners of the inaugural Place Innovation Awards. The high quality of
applications is a great reflection on the local government sector's commitment
to working with community to create amazing places to live, work and play.
"It is wonderful to see
local governments leading the way in innovative approaches to community
empowerment and engagement, and these awards are a great opportunity for
knowledge sharing across the sector to drive positive outcomes for our
communities."
Winners
Outstanding Achievement: City of Kwinana - Wellard
Village 7 Day Makeover
The Wellard Village 7 Day Makeover
(7DM) empowered the community to generate ideas, and then design, budget and
implement a number of placemaking projects to develop a healthy, safe, and
vibrant centre, in just seven days.
The project incorporated a youth-led
element, allowing local young people to plan and deliver their own projects.
The project was delivered
collaboratively by the City of Kwinana, the Wellard Village People Town Team,
RAC, and the Wellard community, facilitated by Creative Communities
International.
Metropolitan Perth and
Peel: City of Mandurah - Community Initiated Infrastructure Policy
The Community Initiated
Infrastructure Policy encourages safe, suitable, quality and timely public
infrastructure construction and maintenance that is financially, socially and
environmentally responsible.
It
also embraces the knowledge and leadership of community groups whilst
minimising current and future risk to all stakeholders.
In
its first year, the policy has been successfully embedded into internal
processes, and supports greater transparency and collaboration in community
place-based decision making.
Regional Western
Australia: Shire of Pingelly - Pingelly Pocket/Gnalla Wangkiny Park
The Pingelly Pocket/Gnalla Wangkiny
Park project has transformed the dead space between two underused buildings on
Pingelly's main street.
A previously fenced off space has
been opened-up, and now features a yarning circle, fire pit, stage for
performances, community chalkboards and sheltered area creating a welcoming and
inclusive public space.
The project was a collaboration with
the local community, local Aboriginal Elders, the Pingelly Aboriginal Progress Association,
RAC, the Pingelly Art and Craft Group and the Shire of Pingelly.
